Monthly Archives: December 2012

The following is a very popular question we hear all the time from various people in different industries. In this example we’ll use recycling but it could apply to anyone.

Now really, how much should a metal recycler expect to spend on buying a new truck scale?

Expense is really dependent on whether the recycling center is replacing an older pre-existing truck scale or if it’s a brand new installation. Installation and foundation labor is going to be different in each and every situation. Cost also varies from area to area.

Basically, you will have to pay for the cost to do the foundation or pit. You will have to pay to have the crane lift the scale off the delivery truck. You will have to pay for the scale, the digital weight indicator, and the ticket printer. You will also have to pay the freight costs to ship the scale from the manufacturer to your location. As you can see above, there is no way to give you an exact cost because any of the information above can vary from job to job.

The best advice is to contact a local scale company in your area who sells truck scales and also does regular service on them. The company also should have certified test weights, a weight cart and test truck. They should also keep replacement parts on the shelf in case one of your parts breaks unexpectedly. If you follow this advice at least if something does fail you can contact your local company for fast service and limited down time.

Rice Lake Weighing Systems was recently granted an amendment to its NTEP Certificate of Conformance for the SURVIVOR OTR Series of above ground truck scales. The amendment reduces the scale’s minimum division value (emin) from the industry standard 20 pounds to 10 pounds, making the SURVIVOR OTR suitable for not only vehicle weighing, but high-dollar applications such as livestock and scrap-metal weighing. The improved resolution is essential where valuable commodities are being weighed and Rice Lake’s truck scales now offer a competitive advantage in those cases.

The new certification applies to Rice Lake’s entire OTR Series, including steel and concrete decks and pit or pitless grain dump models, in standard widths up to 16.5 feet and standard lengths up to 160 feet. The SURVIVOR OTR is also now available with racks and gates for livestock containment needs.